What Are the Responsibilities of a Canadian Citizen?

# What Are the Responsibilities of a Canadian Citizen?

Discover Canada — the official study guide for the citizenship test — pairs every right of citizenship with a corresponding responsibility. This guide lists each one, explains what it means in practice, and breaks down which are legal obligations and which are civic duties.

Discover Canada lists six responsibilities of Canadian citizens:

1. Obeying the law

The most basic responsibility. No person, no government, no organisation is above the law in Canada — the principle of the rule of law. Citizens must follow federal, provincial, and municipal laws. Breaking the law can result in fines, imprisonment, or other penalties.

This responsibility is a legal obligation enforced by the courts.

2. Taking responsibility for oneself and one's family

Canada has social safety nets, but the first line of support for any Canadian is the individual themselves and their family. This means:

• Working to support yourself if able
• Caring for children and elderly family members
• Saving and planning for retirement
• Seeking medical care when needed

This is a civic responsibility — not strictly legal — but neglect of family responsibilities (e.g., child welfare) can become legal.

3. Serving on a jury

When called by a court, citizens are required to serve as jurors in criminal trials and some civil cases. Juries hear evidence, deliberate, and reach a verdict. In serious criminal trials (where punishment can exceed 5 years), the accused has a Charter right to trial by jury under Section 11(f).

Jury duty is a legal obligation. Refusing without excusal can lead to contempt charges. Only citizens can serve on juries — PRs cannot.

4. Voting in elections

Citizens 18 and older have both the right to vote and the responsibility to do so. Discover Canada explicitly lists voting as a responsibility, not just a right. Voting in:

• Federal elections (House of Commons MPs)
• Provincial elections (provincial assembly members)
• Municipal elections (mayors, council, school boards)

Voting is a civic responsibility but not a legal obligation in Canada.

5. Helping others in the community

Discover Canada lists volunteer work and helping neighbours as a responsibility. Examples:

• Volunteering at a food bank, hospital, school, or charity
• Coaching youth sports
• Donating blood
• Assisting elderly or disabled neighbours
• Helping new immigrants settle

This is a civic responsibility without legal penalty.

6. Protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment

Citizens are stewards of Canada's natural and cultural heritage:

• Following environmental laws (no littering, no illegal dumping)
• Respecting historic sites and cultural institutions
• Voting for environmental policies and political action
• Living sustainably where possible

Some aspects (e.g., environmental laws) are legal obligations; the broader civic stewardship is a responsibility without direct enforcement.

Discover Canada also lists paying taxes as a fundamental responsibility. Both citizens and permanent residents must:

• File income tax annually (by April 30 for most individuals)
• Pay any income tax owed
• Pay HST/GST on most purchases
• Pay property tax if they own real estate

Tax filing is enforced by the Canada Revenue Agency. Failure to file can result in penalties, interest, and criminal charges in serious cases.

PRs share most of these responsibilities:

For more on the rights side, see [Rights and Responsibilities of Canadian Citizens — Complete Guide](/blog/rights-responsibilities-canadian-citizen).

Common test questions:

• "Name three responsibilities of Canadian citizens" → obey the law, vote, serve on a jury, etc.
• "Is voting a right or a responsibility?" → Both
• "Can a permanent resident serve on a jury?" → No
• "Is paying taxes a responsibility?" → Yes

Responsibilities questions are easy points on the test if you know the list. Try our [free Canadian citizenship practice test](/practice-test) to drill them. See also [Canadian Values — What the Citizenship Test Expects You to Know](/blog/canadian-values-citizenship-test).